Rail Car Repairer Salary
Rail Car Repairers earn a median $67,530 a year nationally. Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations
U.S. median
$67,530
$32.47 per hour
Range
$46,800 – $95,100
10th to 90th percentile
Employed
21,350
across the U.S.
▲2.8%
Pay trend: The median for rail car repairers in the U.S. rose from $65,680 (May 2024) to $67,530 (May 2025). That roughly kept pace with inflation (2.4%).
What rail car repairers do
Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul railroad rolling stock, mine cars, or mass transit rail cars.
- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Long-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +2.6% (about average)
- Openings per year
- 1,600
- Self-employed
- 2%
Employment of rail car repairers is projected to grow 2.6% from 2025 to 2035, about the same as the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 1,600 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Rail Car Repairer take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
Your take-home pay
$56,337
per year · effective tax rate 16.6%
$4,695Monthly
$2,347Twice a month
$2,167Every 2 weeks
$27.09Hourly
- Federal income tax$6,027
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,187
- Medicare (1.45%)$979
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$56,337
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,800 | $22.50 | $39,784 |
| 25th percentile | $54,520 | $26.21 | $45,987 |
| Median (50th) | $67,530 | $32.47 | $56,337 |
| 75th percentile | $84,570 | $40.66 | $68,325 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $95,100 | $45.72 | $75,733 |
Rail Car Repairer salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $108,680 | +11.3% | $80,072 | $81,430 – $119,060 | 770 |
| Maryland | $89,430 | +5.4% | $67,860 | $64,740 – $103,540 | 560 |
| Oregon | $87,470 | +2.4% | $63,541 | $52,900 – $90,510 | 230 |
| Colorado | $86,630 | +2.6% | $66,671 | $59,190 – $112,820 | 250 |
| Idaho | $85,420 | +38.6% | $65,504 | $46,120 – $85,420 | 110 |
| New York | $84,580 | −0.7% | $64,362 | $56,680 – $109,040 | 1,730 |
| Illinois | $84,570 | +15.1% | $64,284 | $49,820 – $96,170 | 1,850 |
| Utah | $83,980 | +11.6% | $65,097 | $48,880 – $103,080 | 100 |
| Virginia | $83,720 | — | $63,727 | $58,680 – $83,870 | 210 |
| Arizona | $81,230 | +25.4% | $64,153 | $46,360 – $95,010 | 170 |
| Delaware | $78,900 | +2.1% | $60,470 | $51,830 – $95,100 | 130 |
| New Jersey | $78,750 | +2.6% | $61,404 | $65,260 – $84,360 | 410 |
| Minnesota | $77,800 | −1.9% | $59,795 | $42,610 – $88,620 | 170 |
| South Dakota | $71,750 | +9.1% | $59,306 | $46,250 – $79,060 | 90 |
| California | $68,370 | +2.4% | $53,782 | $49,910 – $115,840 | 700 |
| Missouri | $68,290 | +8.2% | $54,600 | $45,020 – $70,980 | 220 |
| New Mexico | $67,550 | +9.4% | $54,342 | $52,020 – $85,470 | 120 |
| Michigan | $64,370 | +9.7% | $51,416 | $38,700 – $83,370 | 370 |
| Georgia | $64,230 | +7.0% | $51,078 | $49,930 – $90,020 | 980 |
| Washington | $63,410 | +7.7% | $53,130 | $49,810 – $80,190 | 180 |
| Pennsylvania | $62,350 | +11.8% | $50,364 | $49,640 – $79,050 | 970 |
| Florida | $62,260 | −6.7% | $52,206 | $40,500 – $66,820 | 410 |
| Iowa | $60,550 | −4.3% | $49,183 | $46,090 – $84,910 | 340 |
| Oklahoma | $60,540 | +2.5% | $48,645 | $45,650 – $81,180 | 90 |
| Indiana | $60,490 | −16.8% | $49,029 | $40,880 – $84,890 | 670 |
| Maine | $60,090 | — | $47,588 | $42,600 – $94,310 | 70 |
| Tennessee | $60,090 | −3.6% | $50,462 | $47,480 – $80,400 | 320 |
| Kentucky | $59,430 | +3.9% | $47,970 | $39,950 – $80,350 | 770 |
| Texas | $59,330 | +1.4% | $49,852 | $46,210 – $79,020 | 2,690 |
| Wyoming | $59,040 | +12.0% | $49,619 | $47,180 – $86,970 | 250 |
| Wisconsin | $58,870 | −30.5% | $47,673 | $44,490 – $88,010 | 220 |
| Alabama | $58,080 | +17.4% | $46,208 | $37,220 – $77,990 | 280 |
| Arkansas | $53,810 | +2.4% | $43,530 | $36,230 – $85,100 | 340 |
| Ohio | $53,480 | +2.5% | $44,463 | $49,900 – $64,840 | 690 |
| West Virginia | $50,800 | +5.4% | $41,442 | $45,190 – $59,580 | 100 |
| Kansas | $48,160 | −6.5% | $38,989 | $38,830 – $87,190 | 300 |
| Nevada | $48,100 | −13.7% | $40,828 | $39,110 – $87,080 | 50 |
| Louisiana | $47,970 | −4.5% | $39,671 | $47,320 – $77,440 | 190 |
| North Carolina | $47,880 | −16.2% | $39,250 | $45,120 – $76,870 | 350 |
| Mississippi | $47,480 | — | $39,163 | $35,920 – $77,780 | 320 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines | $65,510 | High school diploma or equivalent | +6.7% |
| Farm Equipment Mechanic and Service Technician | $56,550 | High school diploma or equivalent | +10.7% |
| Bus and Truck Mechanic and Diesel Engine Specialist | $61,770 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.6% |
| Motorboat Mechanic and Service Technician | $57,550 | High school diploma or equivalent | +4.9% |
| Aircraft Mechanic and Service Technician | $79,870 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +5.4% |
| Automotive Body and Related Repairer | $54,890 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.7% |
| Recreational Vehicle Service Technician | $52,000 | High school diploma or equivalent | +9.7% |
| Automotive Service Technician and Mechanic | $50,620 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +5.0% |
| Motorcycle Mechanic | $48,580 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +2.1% |
| Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanic | $47,880 | High school diploma or equivalent | +2.3% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a rail car repairer make?
The national median salary for rail car repairers is $67,530 a year ($32.47 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $46,800 and the top 10% earn over $95,100. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays rail car repairers the most?
Massachusetts has the highest median pay at $108,680.
How many rail car repairers are there in the U.S.?
About 21,350 people work as rail car repairers nationwide.